Rapid movement loader slot bearing suitable for use on munitions deployment structures

ABSTRACT

A loader slot bearing includes an annular housing having first and second axial surfaces and an interior area extending therebetween. The interior area has a first inner surface that extends between the first and second axial surfaces. A portion of the inner surface is a first bearing surface that has a spherical contour. A slot extends partially into the first inner surface from the first axial surface. The slot has a first width. The annular housing is manufactured from a precipitation hardened corrosion resistant stainless steel. The loader slot bearing includes a truncated ball that is positioned in the slot and rotated so that the truncated ball is rotatably retained by the first bearing surface. The truncated ball is angularly misalignable relative to the housing and is manufactured from a 440C stainless steel. A dry lubricant is applied to the spherical exterior surface of the truncated ball.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The instant application is a non-provisional of, and claims prioritybenefit to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/604,544, entitled“RAPID MOVEMENT LOADER SLOT BEARING SUITABLE FOR USE ON MUNITIONSDEPLOYMENT STRUCTURES,” filed on Jul. 11, 2017, the entirety of which isincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a rod end having a loaderslot spherical bearing therein that has a housing manufactured from aprecipitation hardened stainless steel alloy, a truncated spherical ballmade from a 440C stainless steel positioned partially in the housing andhaving a dry lubricant applied to an exterior surface thereof, and moreparticularly the rod end is employed for rapid deployment flight controlsurfaces and/or antennae and/or sensors of munitions (e.g., smart bombsand guided missiles) deployed from unmanned and manned aircraft (e.g.,drones) having to be stored and operated in harsh environments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, slot loader bearings typically have a steel housing106 or outer member that has a slot 106A extending partially into oneaxial surface 106B of the housing 106. As shown in FIG. 2, a truncatedball 100 that has a spherical exterior surface 100X that extends betweenopposing axial surfaces 100A and 100B of the truncated ball 100, isdisposed in the slot 106A and rotated into place in the housing 106.Slot loader bearings can be employed in various aircraft applications.Typically, the prior art slot loader bearings have housings 106 thathave inner surfaces 105 thereof coated via a case hardening treatmentsuch as a malcomizing process (e.g., nitriding) or LINTRIDE SS (LINTRIDESS is a registered trademark of Lindberg Corporation, 6133 N. River RoadSuite 700 Rosemont, Ill. 60018) to case harden the inner surface to ahardness of 64 to 68 Rockwell C. In the malcomization process, nascent(i.e., monatomic) nitrogen (N+) is adsorbed at the inner surface 105 andabsorbed (diffused via dislocation vacancies) into the steel, combiningwith nitride forming elements such as molybdenum, chromium and vanadiumto form nitrides.

Prior art slot loader bearings typically employ a truncated ball 100manufactured from an investment cast Cobalt 6 alloy per AMS5387, such asStellite® 6C (STELLITE is a registered trademark of Kennametal Inc. of1600 Technology Way, Latrobe, Pa.) having a hardness of 36 to 45Rockwell C. However, such cobalt based balls 100 have elongation(toughness) properties of less than 1%. As a result, such cobalt balls100 tend to develop cracks 101 and fracture when subject to impact loadsor relatively small strain displacements. See for example, FIG. 2. Insome instances a pin is inserted through the ball 100 and a loose pincan cause a STELLITE®6C or Cobalt 6 ball per AMS5387, to crack undertension or compressive loads.

In addition, sliding engagement between the truncated ball 100 and themalcomized inner surface 105 of the housing 106 can cause a Brinellingmark 107 (i.e., permanent indentation of a hard surface) caused byimprint of the entry slot on the Stellite® 6 or Cobalt 6 ball 100 whichhas a lesser hardness than that of the malcomized inner surface 105, asshown in FIG. 2, which causes bearing binding of movement and possiblyseizure of movement of the ball 100 relative to the housing 106.Moreover, the malcomized inner surface 105 can shear off at the entryslot 103 due to the sliding engagement and impact loads between the ball100 and the housing 106. The fractured remnants of the malcomizedsurface that break off are very susceptible to corrosion and can causefurther bearing damage, possibly seizing the ball 100.

Thus, there is a need for an improved slot loader bearing that overcomesthe foregoing problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a loader slotbearing that includes an annular housing that has a first axial surface,a second axial surface and an interior area extending between the firstaxial surface and the second axial surface. The interior area is definedby a first inner surface that extends between the first axial surfaceand the second axial surface. A portion of the inner surface is a firstbearing surface that has a spherical contour. A slot extends partiallyinto the first inner surface from the first axial surface. The slot hasa first width. The annular housing is manufactured from a precipitationhardened corrosion resistant stainless steel. The loader slot bearingincludes a truncated ball that has a spherical exterior surfaceextending a second width between a third axial surface and a fourthaxial surface. The second width is less than the first width. Thetruncated ball is positioned in the slot and rotated so that thetruncated ball is rotatably retained by the first bearing surface. Thetruncated ball is angularly misalignable relative to the housing. Thetruncated ball is manufactured from a 440C stainless steel per AMS 5630.A dry lubricant (e.g., a molybdenum disulfide material in a binder) isapplied to the spherical exterior surface.

In one embodiment, the precipitation hardened corrosion resistantstainless steel is 17-4PH stainless steel pursuant to AMS 5643. In oneembodiment, the 17-4PH stainless steel is in a condition H1150 heattreatment.

In one embodiment, the precipitation hardened corrosion resistantstainless steel is 15-5PH stainless steel pursuant to AMS5659.

In one embodiment, the precipitation hardened corrosion resistantstainless steel has a surface hardness of 28 to 37 Rockwell C.

In one embodiment, the truncated ball has a surface hardness of 55 to 62Rockwell C.

In one embodiment, the truncated ball has a cylindrical bore extendingbetween the third axial surface and the fourth axial surface. The boreis defined by a second inner surface. A pin that has a cylindricalexterior surface extends through the cylindrical bore. The truncatedball is axially rotatable relative to the pin when frictional forcesbetween the second inner surface and the cylindrical exterior surface isbelow a threshold level and when the frictional forces exceed thethreshold level, the pin and truncated ball lock together and areaxially rotatable together, relative to the housing. In one embodiment,the pin is solid.

In one embodiment, the cylindrical exterior surface defines a firstoutside diameter and the bore of the truncated ball has a first insidediameter that is at least 0.00254 to 0.04826 mm (0.0001 to 0.0019inches) greater than the first outside diameter.

In one embodiment, the dry film lubricant facilitates direct slidingengagement of the spherical exterior surface with the first bearingsurface. In one embodiment, the dry lubricant is of a maximum thicknessof 0.0127 mm (0.0005 inches).

In one embodiment, the spherical exterior surface of the truncated ballis defined by a second outside diameter. In one embodiment, the housingand the truncated ball are configured to move relative to one anotherand withstand accelerations of up to about 4G and/or the housing, thetruncated ball and the pin are configured to move relative to oneanother and withstand accelerations such as those due to impact or shockloads of up to about 4G, created by rapid deployment coming to an abrupthard stop.

In one embodiment, a shaft extends from and is integral with the annularhousing thereby forming a rod end. In one embodiment, the shaft isintegral with a support frame or is secured to the support frame with atleast one fastener.

In one embodiment, the loader slot bearing has one or more dampeningfeatures, configured to dampen impact loads received by the loader slotbearing.

In one embodiment, the loader slot bearing and/or the rod end ismanufactured from a bar stock or cast form of the precipitation hardenedcorrosion resistant stainless steel.

In one embodiment, the truncated ball is dropped in or forced fit in tothe interior area of the housing.

Any of the foregoing embodiments may be combined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Referring now to the Figures, which are exemplary embodiments, andwherein the like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a housing of a prior art loader slotbearing illustrating a damaged area caused at high loading of the priorart loader slot bearing;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cobalt 6 ball of a prior art loaderslot bearing illustrating damage after high loading of the prior artloader slot bearing;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a rod end with a loader slot spherical bearingof the present invention, therein;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the rod end and loader slot bearingof FIG. 3, taken across section 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is another embodiment of the rod end of the present inventionhaving an asymmetric head;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a portion of the rod end of the present showninstalled in a clevis;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the rod end ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the rod end of FIG. 4 shownwithout the truncated ball to illustrate a drop in configuration;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of the rod end of FIG. 7 shownwithout the truncated ball to illustrate a force fit configuration;

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the ball of the loaderslot bearing of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 3, a rod end is generally designated by the number 10.The rod end 10 includes a loader slot bearing 20 having an annularhousing 22. A shaft 30 extending from and integral with the annularhousing 22 thereby forms the rod end 10. The shaft 30 has a thread area32 (e.g., male threads) for threading the rod end 10 into a femalethread 42 of a support frame 38. While the shaft 30 is shown secured tothe support frame 38 via the threaded area 32 and the female threads 42,the present invention is not limited in this regard as the shaft 30 maybe integral with the support frame 38 or secured to the support framewith one or more alternative fasteners such as a shaft with femalethreads threaded on to a male threaded pin extending from the supportframe 38, a flanged connection or welded to the support frame.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the annular housing 22 has a first axialsurface 22A, a second axial surface 22B and an interior area 24extending between the first axial surface 22A and the second axialsurface 22B. In one embodiment, each of the first axial surface 22A andthe second axial surface 22B have a chamfer 22K formed on a radiallyinner most portion thereof. The interior area 24 is defined by a firstinner surface 26 that extends between the first axial surface 22A andthe second axial surface 22B. A portion of the inner surface 26 is afirst bearing surface 28 having a spherical contour. As shown in FIGS. 3and 8, the first bearing surface 28 has an effective width W3 thatextends between respective axial inward portions of the chamfers 22K ofthe first axial surface 22A and the second axial surface 22B. As bestshown in FIG. 8 the slot 23 extends partially and axially (i.e.,parallel to a central axis A) into the first inner surface 26 from thefirst axial surface 22A. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the slot 23 has afirst width W1 extending parallel to a longitudinal axis L of the rodend 10. The slot 23 defines opposing longitudinally inward facing walls23X and 23Y. In one embodiment, a rod end 10′ with an asymmetric head,as shown in FIG. 5, may be employed. The rod end 10′ has a housing 22′that has a minimum wall thickness TM at a distal end thereof and has avariable thickness TX that progressively increases towards the shaft30′.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the loader slot bearing 20 includes atruncated ball 40 (e.g., a standard size SAE ball such as that used in aAS14101 through AS14104 spherical bearing) that has a spherical exteriorsurface 48 extending a second width W2 extending axially (i.e., parallelto the central axis A) between a third axial surface 40A and a fourthaxial surface 40B. The second width W2 is less than the first width W1so that the truncated ball 40 is initially slid into the slot 23 andpositioned in the slot 23 so that the third axial surface 40A and thefourth axial surface 40B and the inward facing walls 23X and 23Y areparallel to one another. The truncated ball 40 is rotated so that thetruncated ball 40 is retained by the first bearing surface 28, thetruncated ball 40 is angularly misalignable relative to the housing 22.

As shown in FIG. 10, a dry lubricant 48L is applied to or disposed on(e.g., applied as a powder, dusting, spraying or thin film whichtypically requires an abrasive blast of the surface, chemical cleaning,possible phosphate conversion coating, followed by another chemicalcleaning, prior to the dry film compound applied to the sphericalexterior surface 48 of the truncated ball 40. In one embodiment, the drylubricant 48L is a molybdenum disulfide material in a binder (e.g.,),such as Everlube® 732 or Everlube® 967 (Everlube is a registeredtrademark of Everlube Corporation of America), Tungsten disulfide solidfilm lubricants such as DICRONITE® DL-5 (DICRONITE is a registeredtrademark of Lubrication Sciences Corporation of 152 N. THIRD STREET,SUITE 550 SAN JOSE, Calif., 95112) or MICROSEAL® 300-1 (MICROSEAL is aregistered trademark of Metal Improvement Company, LLC of 80 Route 4East Paramus, N.J., 07652). Further examples of dry lubricants 48L thatare applied to the spherical exterior surface 48 of the truncated ball40 and that do not readily rub off are XYLAN® PTFE based andPTFE/Molybdenum disulfide based solid film lubricants (also called dryfilms), such as XYLAN®1010 or XYLAN®1052 (XYLAN is a registeredtrademark of Whitford Corporation of P.O. BOX 2347 West Chester, Pa.,19380). XYLAN® PTFE based and Molybdenum disulfide based solid filmlubricants are hard type dry lubricants 48L as defined by the fact somedry film binders are less dense, and powdery, readily rubbing off withfinger pressure, while others, like the polyimide binder dry lubes aremore dense, not rubbing off as easily, resisting water and wear undermotion, better than epoxy, phenolic, sodium silicate, etc. Other, lesshard, dry lubes using Molybdenum disulfide and MolydenumDisulfide-graphite or straight graphite based lubricants with phenolic,epoxy, silicate, solvent based or water based binders may be used. Inone embodiment, the dry film lubricants 48L EVERLUBE® 620, EVERLUBE®620C, ESNALUBE® 382, EVERLUBE® 811, EVERLUBE® 823, PERMA-SLIK® G,EVERLUBE 9001, LUBE-LOK® 7100, LUBE-LOK® 7400 (EVERLUBE, ESNALUBE,PERMA-SLIK, and LUBE-LOK are registered trademarks of Metal ImprovementCompany, LLC DELAWARE 80 Route 4, East Paramus, N.J. 07652) are appliedto the spherical exterior surface 48 of the truncated ball 40. The drylubricant 48L facilitates direct sliding engagement of the sphericalexterior surface 48 of the truncated ball 40 with the first bearingsurface 28 of the housing 22. In one embodiment, the dry lubricant 48Lis of a maximum thickness T15 of 0.0127 mm (0.0005 inches), preferably0.00508 to 0.0127 mm (0.0002 to 0.0005 inches) thick. While the drylubricant 48L is described as being applied to the spherical exteriorsurface 48 of the truncated ball 40, the present invention is notlimited in this regard, as the dry lubricant 48L may be applied to thefirst bearing surface 28 of the housing 22 (see FIG. 9) as analternative to, or in addition to, the application of the dry lubricant48L to the spherical exterior surface 48 of the truncated ball 40. Thedry lubricant 48L applied to or disposed on (e.g., (e.g., applied as apowder, dusting, spraying or thin film) the first bearing surface 28 ofthe housing 22 has a thickness T16 that is about equal to the thicknessT15. In addition to providing lubrication and lowering friction, the dryfilm lubricants 48L also offer some corrosion resistance, similar topaint.

Unlike prior art loader slot bearings, the first bearing surface 28 ofthe housing 22 is not malcomized. Thus, the first bearing surface 28 hasa hardness of HRC 28-37 (condition H1150, 17-4PH per AMS 5643 or 15-5PHper AMS5659), which is a lower hardness (i.e., is softer) than amalcomized or nitrided case harden surface, which typically have ahardness in excess of HRC 64. A Stellite® 6 ball or Cobalt 6 ball perAMS5387, investment cast, has a hardness of HRC 36 as cast. The priorart loader slot bearing has a ball softer than the hard malcomized casehardened surface, which leads to ball brinnelling after being subject tohigh loading. The 17-4PH loader slot housing 22 with no malcomizedtreatment, at a hardness of HRC 28-37 will not brinnell a 440C AMS5630(or AMS5618 or AMS5880) ball heat treated to a hardness of HRC55-62. Thefirst bearing surface 28 and the housing 22 are soft enough to absorbimpact loads more readily than the hard malcomized surface of the priorart bearings. Thus, the first bearing surface 28 and the housing 22 area dampening feature that function as shock absorber that dampens impactloads received by the loader slot bearing 10.

The annular housing 22 and the shaft 30 are manufactured (e.g., machinedfrom a bar stock or casting) from a precipitation hardened corrosionresistant stainless steel such as 17-4PH stainless steel pursuant to AMS5643 or 15-5PH stainless steel pursuant to AMS5659. In one embodiment,the 17-4PH stainless steel is in a condition H1150 heat treatment. Inone embodiment, the precipitation hardened corrosion resistant stainlesssteel has a surface hardness of 28 to 37 Rockwell C (i.e., HRC 28-37).The truncated ball 40 is manufactured from a 440C stainless steel perAMS 5630. In one embodiment, the truncated ball 40 has a surfacehardness of 55 to 62 Rockwell C (i.e., HRC 55-62). In one embodiment,the annular housing 22, the shaft 30 and/or the truncated ball 40 areheat treated pursuant to MAS H-6875 or AMS 2559, which are incorporatedherein by reference.

As shown in FIG. 4, the truncated ball 40 has a cylindrical bore 44extending between the third axial surface 40A and the fourth axialsurface 40B. The bore 44 is defined by a second inner surface 45. Asshown in FIG. 6, a pin 55 (e.g., a solid metallic material such as astainless steel or a dowel pin made from NADM16555 or equivalent) havinga cylindrical exterior surface 57 extends through the cylindrical bore44. The truncated ball 40 is axially rotatable relative to the pin 55when frictional forces between the second inner surface 45 and thecylindrical exterior surface 57 is below a threshold level. When thefrictional forces exceed the threshold level, the pin 55 and truncatedball 40 lock together and are axially rotatable together, relative tothe housing 22. The housing 22 and the truncated ball 40 are configuredto move relative to one another and withstand accelerations of up toabout 4G. The housing 22, the truncated ball 40 and the pin 55 areconfigured to move relative to one another and withstand accelerationsof up to about 4G. In one embodiment, the term withstand means that thetruncated ball 40 continues to be retained by the first bearing surface28 and/or the truncated ball 40 continues to be angularly misalignablerelative to the housing 22, during and/or after being subject to theaccelerations of up to about 4G. In one embodiment, the term withstandmeans that the dry lubricant 48L remains on the spherical exteriorsurface 48 of the truncated ball 40 during and/or after being subject tothe accelerations of up to about 4G. In one embodiment, the termwithstand means that the truncated ball 40 and/or housing 22 are notdamaged, for example, cracked, brinnelled, scored and/or scratched as aresult of being subject to the accelerations of up to about 4G.

As shown in FIG. 6, the cylindrical exterior surface 57 of the pin 55defines a first outside diameter D1. The bore 44 of the truncated ball40 has a first inside diameter D3 that is at least 0.0019 inches greaterthan the first outside diameter D1 of the pin 55 to define a loose fitbetween the truncated ball 40 and the pin 55 compared to typicalaerospace industry standards for rod end testing, such as AS81935, whichdefines pin to ball clearance of 0.0254 mm (0.001 inch) maximum. In oneembodiment, the ball 40 and pin 55 and casing 22 are per militarystandard for plain self-aligning bearings MS14101-3 spherical bearingand with the pin 55 having a 3/16 inch outside diameter create a loadingcondition with great pin bending relative to pure shear, compared to astandard AS81935 rod end test with a tighter fitting pin.

As shown in FIG. 6, the rod end 10 is pivotally connected to a clevis 61via the pin 55 extending through respective apertures 61C and 61D ofarms 61A and 61B of the clevis 61. The apertures 61C and 61D have asecond inside diameter D2 that is less than the outside diameter D1 ofthe pin 55 so that the pin 55 is press fit (i.e., interference fit) intothe apertures 61C and 61D. In one embodiment, a cap 37 is secured toopposing ends of the pin 55 to further limit axial movement of the pin55 relative to the clevis 61. In one embodiment, the clevis 61 isintegrally machined into the surface of a device being deployed.However, the clevis 61 can be secured to the surface of the device beingdeployed by welding, adhesives or one or more mechanical fasteners.

The loader slot bearing 10 is scalable for use with various sizeddevices to be deployed. For example, the spherical exterior surface 48of the truncated ball 40 is defined by a second outside diameter D4(depicted in FIG. 9). The housing defines a third width W3 between thefirst axial surface 22A and the second axial surface 22B. A ratio of thethird width W3 to the second outside diameter D4 is about 0.35 to 0.50.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the loader slot bearing 20 is configured sothe truncated ball 40 can be dropped into the slot 23 so that a portionof the spherical exterior surface 48 (i.e., a portion extendingcontinuously between the third axial surface 40A and fourth axialsurface 40B) is in engagement with a corresponding portion of the firstbearing surface 28. This so-called drop in configuration is enabled bythe depth D6 of the slot 23 extending axially into (see depthdifferential G1) the housing 22 to the depth D6 that extends furtherthan a centerline CL (coaxial with the longitudinal axis L) of thetruncated ball 40 by the depth differential G1 of about 0.127 mm (0.005inches) or greater, while the width W1 is greater than the outsidediameter D4 of the truncated ball 40, at the longitudinal axis L. Amanufacturing option is producing the entry slot via conventional endmilling that broaches the entry slot configuration completely throughthe rod end faces, producing an entry slot that permits ballinstallation and removal on either side.

While FIG. 4 shows the drop-in configuration, the present invention isnot limited in this regard as a forced-fit type loader slot bearing 20′may be employed as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9,the loader slot bearing 20′ is configured so the truncated ball 40 canbe in a forced fit configuration in the slot 23 so that a portion of thespherical exterior surface 48 (i.e., a portion extending continuouslybetween the third axial surface 40A and fourth axial surface 40B) is inengagement with a corresponding portion of the first bearing surface 28.This so-called forced fit configuration is enabled by the depth D6 ofthe slot 23 extending axially into (see depth differential G2) thehousing 22 to a depth D6′ that does not intersect the centerline CL(coaxial with the longitudinal axis L) of the truncated ball 40, whilethe width W1 is greater than the outside diameter D4 of the truncatedball 40, at the longitudinal axis L. In FIG. 9, the depth differentialG2 is shown exaggerated for clarity of illustration. In one embodimentthe depth differential G2 is between 0.127 and 0.0254 mm (0.005 and0.001 inches) to create the forced fit configuration while allowing thetruncated ball 40 to be forced into the housing 22, without damaging thetruncated ball 40 or housing 22. In the forced fit configuration ofFIGS. 7 and 9, portions of the first bearing surface 28 elasticallydeform to allow the truncated ball 40 to enter the interior area 24 ofthe housing 22.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference tovarious exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of theinvention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the inventionwithout departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it isintended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodimentdisclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention,but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A loader slot bearing comprising: an annularhousing having a first axial surface, a second axial surface and aninterior area extending between the first axial surface and the secondaxial surface, the interior area being defined by a first inner surfacethat extends between the first axial surface and the second axialsurface, a portion of the inner surface being a first bearing surfacehaving a spherical contour and has a first surface hardness of 28 to 37Rockwell C for dampening impact loads received by the slot loaderbearing, a slot extending partially into the first inner surface fromthe first axial surface, the slot having a first width, and the annularhousing being manufactured from a precipitation hardened corrosionresistant stainless steel; a truncated ball having a spherical exteriorsurface extending a second width between a third axial surface and afourth axial surface, the second width being less than the first width,the truncated ball being positioned in the slot and rotated so that thetruncated ball is rotatably retained by the first bearing surface, thetruncated ball being angularly misalignable relative to the housing, thetruncated ball being manufactured from a 440C stainless steel per AMS5630, wherein the spherical exterior surface of the truncated ball has asecond surface hardness of 55 to 62 Rockwell C; and a dry lubricantapplied to the spherical exterior surface to facilitate direct slidingengagement of the spherical exterior surface with the first bearingsurface, wherein the housing and the truncated ball are configured tomove relative to one another and withstand accelerations or impact loadsduring mechanism deployment of up to 4G.
 2. The loader slot bearing ofclaim 1, wherein the precipitation hardened corrosion resistantstainless steel is 17-4PH stainless steel pursuant to AMS
 5643. 3. Theloader slot bearing of claim 2, wherein the 17-4PH stainless steel is ina condition H1150 heat treatment.
 4. The loader slot bearing of claim 1,wherein the precipitation hardened corrosion resistant stainless steelis 15-5PH stainless steel pursuant to AMS5659.
 5. The loader slotbearing of claim 1, wherein the truncated ball has a cylindrical boreextending between the third axial surface and the fourth axial surface,the bore being defined by a second inner surface; and a pin having acylindrical exterior surface, the pin extending through the cylindricalbore and the truncated ball being axially rotatable relative to the pinwhen frictional forces between the second inner surface and thecylindrical exterior surface is below a threshold level; and whereinwhen the frictional forces exceed the threshold level, the pin andtruncated ball lock together and are axially rotatable together,relative to the housing.
 6. The loader slot bearing of claim 5, whereinthe pin is solid.
 7. The loader slot bearing of claim 5, wherein thecylindrical exterior surface defines a first outside diameter and thebore of the truncated ball has a first inside diameter that is at least0.0001 to 0.0019 inches greater than the first outside diameter.
 8. Theloader slot bearing of claim 1, wherein the dry lubricant comprises amolybdenum disulfide material in a binder.
 9. The loader slot bearing ofclaim 1, wherein the dry lubricant is of a maximum thickness of 0.0005inches.
 10. The loader slot bearing of claim 1, wherein the sphericalexterior surface of the truncated ball is defined by a second outsidediameter, the housing defines a third width between the first axialsurface and the second axial surface and wherein a ratio of the thirdwidth to the second outside diameter is about 0.35 to 0.50.
 11. Theloader slot bearing of claim 1, further comprising a shaft extendingfrom and integral with the annular housing thereby forming a rod end.12. The loader slot bearing of claim 11, wherein the shaft is integralwith a support frame or is secured to the support frame with at leastone fastener.
 13. The loader slot bearing of claim 1, wherein thetruncated ball is manufactured from a bar stock or cast form of theprecipitation hardened corrosion resistant stainless steel.
 14. Theloader slot bearing of claim 1, wherein the truncated ball is dropped inor forced fit in to the interior area of the housing.
 15. The loaderslot bearing of claim 1, wherein the truncated ball is dropped in to theinterior area of the housing through a slot milled or broached all theway through the housing.
 16. A loader slot bearing comprising: anannular housing having a first axial surface, a second axial surface andan interior area extending between the first axial surface and thesecond axial surface, the interior area being defined by a first innersurface that extends between the first axial surface and the secondaxial surface, a portion of the inner surface being a first bearingsurface having a spherical contour and has a first surface hardness of28 to 37 Rockwell C for dampening impact loads received by the slotloader bearing, a slot extending partially into the first inner surfacefrom the first axial surface, the slot having a first width, and theannular housing being manufactured from a precipitation hardenedcorrosion resistant stainless steel; a truncated ball having a sphericalexterior surface extending a second width between a third axial surfaceand a fourth axial surface and the truncated ball having a cylindricalbore extending between the third axial surface and the fourth axialsurface, the second width being less than the first width, the borebeing defined by a second inner surface, the truncated ball beingpositioned in the slot and rotated so that the truncated ball isrotatably retained by the first bearing surface, the truncated ballbeing angularly misalignable relative to the housing and the truncatedball being manufactured from a 440C stainless steel per AMS 5630,wherein the spherical exterior surface of the truncated ball has asecond surface hardness of 55 to 62 Rockwell C; a dry lubricant appliedto the spherical exterior surface to facilitate direct slidingengagement of the spherical exterior surface with the first bearingsurface; and a pin having a cylindrical exterior surface, the pinextending through the cylindrical bore and the truncated ball beingaxially rotatable relative to the pin when frictional forces between thesecond inner surface and the cylindrical exterior surface is below athreshold level, wherein when the frictional forces exceed the thresholdlevel, the pin and truncated ball lock together and are axiallyrotatable together, relative to the housing.
 17. The loader slot bearingof claim 16, wherein the pin is solid.
 18. The loader slot bearing ofclaim 16, wherein the cylindrical exterior surface defines a firstoutside diameter and the bore of the truncated ball has a first insidediameter that is at least 0.0001 to 0.0019 inches greater than the firstoutside diameter.